Even before Fifty Shades of Grey has begun shooting, the fans are already holding petitions and boycotts. This doesn’t bode well for the film in the long run.

While some amount of backlash is normal and even expected in film adaptations of beloved source material – as was the case with Twilight and the Hunger Games – the level that Fifty Shades of Grey has received is unprecedented. Almost 15,000 fans signed the petition asking for a new cast for the film, citing the reason that they didn’t think that Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson fit the roles.

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why the fans don’t have a say in movies. Because they would try to fan cast, and fan casting never works. Charlie Hunnam and Dakota Johnson were reportedly the best that the studio auditioned who would accept the roles – and they auditioned a lot of people. I don’t think the fans realize how difficult it is to find actors willing to do that kind of nudity on screen. Not every celeb is like Miley Cyrus and Lady Gaga.

Either way, the majority of the fans are already angry and disappointed, which is a bad start to production. Of course, that hasn’t stopped movies before and that’s certainly not going to stop Fifty Shades of Grey, but this is the kind of film that needs all the support it can get from its fans. As a hard R-rated film with BDSM themes and without universal appeal, the film’s not going to be a major breakout in terms of box office money. It won’t be the next Hunger Games or even Twilight, which managed to attract fans beyond preexisting fans of the book series. It will have hype – sure – but families aren’t going to watch the film (the Kardashian/Jenner clan excepted, naturally) and men will have to be dragged by their girlfriends. And teenagers aren’t going to be able to see it because it will be rated R. Of course many devotees will see it several times….

What do you guys think about the box office potential of Fifty Shades of Grey? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

There is a reason y people are directors and are known as ditectors . Charlie and Dakota will do great and so will the movie !

50shadesfan

I’m a big SOA fan and Charlie is a great actor and he is indeed hot, but he’s no Christian Grey. In books where their physical appearances play a big role, that should’ve played a role in their criteria when casting. Charlie already looks the 6 yrs older than Christian that he is, and he fits the description of Elliot to a T. Dakota is wrong for Ana is so many ways its ridiculous! They might as well have cast an ethnic girl as Ana given how off the charts they went with Dakota. Ana is petite in stature, Dakota is a far too tall, Ana has BIG blue eyes, Dakota’s are teeny tiny. Ana has a dainty frame and pretty facial features, Dakota’s features are very elongated and angular, nothing like Ana’s are described at all. Dakota looks super old for her age. She is not the alluring, sweet faced Ana in the books at all. Horrible horrible casting on her end. I won’t see it with her cast.

Lisa

They really insulted the character in the books by casting Dakota Johnson. So sad.

Danielle

I think Charlie Hunnam will be perfect, hes got that ego and confidence. I would be more then happy to be his anatasia!!

Danielle

Just remember guys its all about chemistry,a dn if they had it in auditions then that can make or break the movie, way more then what she looks like. I wasn’t happy with her either, but really I am still watching the movie because the books are amazing, and Charlie Dunnam is amazing, give her the benefit of a doubt, she might be amazing. I would rather chemistry then some amazing chick with nonel

SandyDC

So, 15,000 fan signed a petition? 70 million bought the books and most of us have the sense not to poop on the Internet if we’re not happy. There is and there will be no box office crisis for the 50 Shades movie.

I didn’t know who Charlie Hunnam was until he was cast and the more I see, the more I like. Dakota I don’t know, but I certainly have an open mind.

Casting is about more than just hair color or eye color or how tall someone is. It’s mostly about chemistry. Then there are all the tech stuff, such as are they available during the time required, will they do what the script requires, etc.

It’s typical to see this kind of protest when books are cast. People didn’t like Jamie from Outlander at first, now they seem to be warming up. And who can forget Ben Affleck?

As for this so-called “crisis,” please stop trying to make a story where there is none.

kacy50

Way more than 15,000 signed it. This article got it wrong. Not 70 million, but still a lot. Also it was for Matt and Alexis. Just think of how many people would’ve signed it if it didn’t have those 2 names attached to it!

vn_102

I would sign it if they made petition to recast only Dakota, coz I think Charlie is way better choice than Matt Bomer. Sure Matt is looking good in suits like Ken doll but he can’t act his way out of paperback, his half naked grinding woman in Magic Mike was so fake and awkward, can’t imagine that Christian Grey hates sex LOL

Meggor

NOT about the sex???? HeHe

50shadesfan

Like I said i’ve been a fan of this show and Charlie for a long time, I know his character, and I too have seen those photos of him with shorter hair and in a suit and all but truth is those are older photos. He looks older than that now, and a little bigger. The perfect Elliot in my eyes, and no transformation would be needed. I never said he couldn’t pull off this kind of role. I absolutely know he can, but for a lot of us fans the image is a big thing because EL James made it a big thing in the books. Christian is striking and holds women spellbound with his looks. I don’t see that with Charlie, so it puts quite a damper on it for me.

50shadesfan

Henry and Emilia were my picks for the roles too, and they’re still who I envision when I read the books. I wouldn’t have minded if they cast other unknowns that actually looked the parts, but Charlie, and especially Dakota do not! Yeah petitions don’t really have a great success rate, but I must agree that had they not put Matt and Alexis on that petition and just did a general recast petition more people would’ve signed it. I think it’s over 70,000 now but I’m not sure. I think a lot of fans just want to voice how upset they are and that’s why they sign it. It may or may not change anything, but we’re all here because we’re passionate about FSoG, and if no one would be talking if they didn’t care.